Inspector Profile: Danielle Baker

Date

Date Published:

June 16, 2014

Danielle Baker
Chico, California

"I grew up on my grandma's historic family farm in El Dorado County where my great-grandfather homesteaded as a gold miner. Since I was a teenager, I sold figs and other vegetables at the farmers’ markets throughout the Central Valley with my family. Working at Woodleaf Farm (famous for organic peaches), Massa Organics, and Harpos Organics (all CCOF-certified), I got my foot in the door. After receiving a B.S. in Agricultural Plant Science from CSU Chico, I helped facilitate the Organic Vegetable Crops Project at CSU Chico with my professor Dr. Lee Altier. The project is now underway and CCOF-certified.

I have been working as an inspector for five years, specializing in small farms and crops such as rice, almonds, walnuts, and prunes. What I enjoy most is getting to meet the hardworking farmers that carry on these important traditions. Over the years, getting to discover the landscapes and crops that grow in this region is phenomenal, and stretches our creativity and potential as humans. It’s been a joy to be a part of it all."